From 2001-2006, Bernie Mac, the late American comedian, was the “star” of a television show appropriately titled “The Bernie Mac Show.” This was a very funny sitcom that was based on his life with his wife after they instantly became the parents of his drug-addicted sister’s three children. Some of the show’s most memorable scenes were those with Bernie Mac speaking directly to the television audience. He always began this monologue with “America, …” and continued by detailing his inner thoughts about what he was dealing with in his unique (for him) parental situation at hand that made him scratch his head in a logical manner.

Psalm 30:5 says, “weeping mat endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” That glorious morning will soon come for the family of Bertha Elizabeth Oliver. On August 21, 2010, Oliver made her transition from this sinful world to her heavenly home.

According to a new survey from Minnesota Public Radio and the Humphrey Institute, 54 percent of Minnesotans aren’t too keen on the governor’s frequent out of state trips, which usually include visits to important presidential nominating states. Only 31 percent of voters approve In even worse news for Pawlenty, Minnesota Republicans apparently would prefer Mitt Romney as their presidential choice than their own governor.

“I am pleased to host HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, who has graciously accepted my invitation to visit Houston, one of our Nation’s largest and most vibrant cities. The primary purpose of this visit will be to tour neighborhoods in Houston in great need of revitalization, which will help to create sustainable communities that provide quality, affordable, and energy efficient housing, connect housing to jobs, foster urban renewal, and reform our neighborhoods. I am now calling for real public-private partnerships that transform our neighborhoods.”

Two men have died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in a privately owned mine in northeastern Arizona, a fire department spokesman said Monday.

A 77-year-old man and his 25-year-old son-in-law detonated an explosive in the mine on Saturday, presumably to make it larger, said Eric Neitzel, a spokesman for the Show Low Fire Department.

The next day, they entered the mine, he said — apparently without realizing that there were dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide.

A man suspected of fatally shooting a Utah sheriff’s deputy was arrested Monday after a manhunt that lasted days, police said.

Scott Curley is suspected in the shooting death last week of Kane County, Utah, Deputy Brian Harris.

The incident began Wednesday night, when Curley “apparently assaulted a janitor at the local high school,” said Alan Alldredge, emergency services director at the Kane County Sheriff’s Department in Kanab, Utah.

Wow, can you believe that we are a little over one month away from the first day of fall, September 22? The end of 2010 is a mere 4 months away. Soon, long days and shorter nights will come to an end, but thank the heavens for fall and its endless fashionably fabulous possibilities. Do remember that simplicity and an understated tone of sexiness is the everlasting epitome of class and style. As the season begins to change, the leaves turn and the evening winds start to fill the air, remember that your own personal style should always reflect the person in the mirror.

Twice a year, we make room in our closets for the hippest styles of the season. Time to kiss those espadrilles and sundresses goodbye and say hello to some of the most luxurious, yet functional clothes we’ve seen in seasons. Whether you’re in Boston and are ready to pull out your fur (don’t shoot the messenger – fur is in for fall), or in Houston and the thought of fur makes you perspire profusely, get ready for a fall fashion season worth paying attention to. What’s great about this season is that there’s something for everyone. So if you choose to stimulate the economy by picking up a few new pieces, or opt to shop your closet, here are a few top picks to get you started:

The summer of junior year is a dream. Students are seemingly floating on air having passed the hardest year of high school. Their days are filled with sleeping in and raiding the fridge, while their nights and afternoons are filled with shopping, planning, and partying. The perfect summer for any 17 year old. Then August rolls around and the dreams turn to dust, and students find themselves in a whirlwind of being hurled into SATs, ACTs, coming in late, leaving out early, and the inevitable year that comes after graduation. Speaking as a graduating senior of the 2010-2011 class, I know the road to choosing the right college seems impossible, and on some day I imagine it is impossible.

According to theybf.com, Slimm may have gotten his girl back. Vivica Fox
was spotted hugged up and partying alongside her club promoter boo Slimm at Echelon 3000 Sunday night in Atlanta. Looks like the two couldn’t stay apart for long after their breakup a couple
weeks ago. Slimm tells us they actually got back together the next day! Love (or the love of publicity) will do that to ya sometimes.

A young baseball phenom has received one of the sport’s highest honors — recognition from the National Baseball Hall of Fame for pitching not one, but two perfect games.

And while a perfect game — defined as one in which the pitcher allows no hits and no walks — is a rare occurrence for the sport, what makes this 13-year-old pitcher’s feat even more impressive is that she did it against the boys.

A bullet that flew through a building at the University of Texas at El Paso may have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border during a shootout between drug traffickers and Mexican federal police, authorities said.

University President Diana Natalicio said Sunday a bullet struck Bell Hall sometime Saturday evening. No injuries were reported at the building.

Today, at a special meeting of the HISD Board of Education, board trustees voted unanimously to hold a special election to fill the vacancy left by former District VIII Trustee Diana Davila. Davila announced her resignation from the board last month citing family reasons.
“I want to thank my fellow board members and the interested individuals who took time out of their schedules to meet with us this week at Furr High School,” said Board President Greg Meyers. “Even though the board has decided to hold a special election, we met some fine community members who clearly are focused and committed to Houston’s children and what is best to further their academic achievement. Hopefully some of them will decide to pursue the District VIII trustee position.”

State Senator Royce West is calling to action members of the black Greek community to emphasize the need for mentorship as he brings attention to the growing number of African American children on the waiting list of Big Brothers Big Sisters, including the number of African American boys on the list.

Saturday, Aug. 21, Senator West, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a Texas Senator representing District 23 (Dallas County) is formally reaching out to local black Greek fraternities and sororities to address the crises faced by African American students and the low graduation rates of African American males in the state of Texas. Members of the black Greek community will meet with Senator West at the T. Boone Pickens Mentoring Hall of Fame in the Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters at 450 E. John Carpenter Freeway in Irving, Texas. The event is from 8:30 a.m. until Noon.

This month’s hurricane forecast still predicts an active storm season, which may mean very heavy rains inland. Heavy ongoing downpours from tropical storms and even intense seasonal rains can produce severe stresses on Texas dams. More than 1,700 of those dams are classified as “High-Hazard Potential” (HHP) or “Significant-Hazard Potential” (SHP), meaning potential loss of life should the dam breach. Hundreds of these dams still need Emergency Action Plans (EAPs).

An EAP can provide a blueprint for the prompt notification and evacuation of people who may be in harm’s way. For example, the EAP for Lake Livingston was implemented when brutal weather from Hurricane Rita caused damage that threatened the dam. New Texas dam safety regulations require EAPs to be completed on SHP and HHP dams by December 31 unless the owner has been granted an extension of time by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Dam Safety Program.

The Houston Astros have acquired 25-year-old, right-handed pitcher David Carpenter from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for infielder Pedro Feliz and cash, General Manager Ed Wade announced today.

Carpenter was 5-3 with a 2.36 ERA (14ER/53.1IP) and 20 saves in 49 relief appearances at Class A Palm Beach this season. His 20 saves currently rank second in the Florida State League. Carpenter was originally selected by the Cardinals in the 12th round of the 2006 June Draft as a catcher out of West Virginia University. After catching in the Cardinals farm system in 2006 and 2007, Carpenter was converted into a pitcher during the 2008 season. In 116 career appearances (all in relief ), he is 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA (49ER/135.1IP), 35 saves, 58 walks and 144 striketous.

Social networking requires both an understanding of how the site you use works as well as how those out to get you can use the site against you. From setting up privacy settings, to knowing what to do if you thought that link to pictures was from Sally but turned out to be from a malicious hacker; Geek Squad is available to help you navigate social networks so you can get the most positive experience out of networking online safely, and securely.

General rules of thumb that everyone should know about social networking websites:

Senator Rodney Ellis was joined by Representative Kristi Thibaut at Macy’s in downtown Houston to kick-off the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which runs this weekend, August 20-22. The state officials were also joined by students from Aspire Special Needs Centre and the Chinese Community Center Youth Program.

“The tax holiday means real tax relief for hardworking Texas families who need to see their dollars go farther in order to provide the necessities for their children,” said Senator Ellis.

Open wide, or close up tight?

When it comes to borders, that’s a question that divides countries, states, and even families. It’s a question that might seem answerable with one word, either way, but it’s really not. Like everything these days, it’s complicated and contentious.

And then, there are the exceptions…

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